Developing Your GIS Web Presence: An Audience-Specific ... · Why have a GIS web presence? Support...
Transcript of Developing Your GIS Web Presence: An Audience-Specific ... · Why have a GIS web presence? Support...
Developing Your GIS Web Presence: An Audience-Specific Approach
Nick O’Day GIS Manager,
City of Johns Creek IT
• Incorporated December 2006 • 77,000 + population (2010 Census) • Suburb of Atlanta and within Fulton County • Total Area ~ 32 Square Miles
Johns Creek’s History…
• GIS: ▫ Esri & SQL-based systems for GIS data/web ▫ Enterprise system, tightly integrated with
Community Development, Finance, Public Works, Public Safety (Police & Fire)
▫ Independent of Fulton County, but founding member of Fulton GIS Collaboration Group
▫ Internal web apps: ñ Same as external, but with “CreekView” for staff
▫ External web apps: ñ 18 apps/tools all based on ArcGIS API for JavaScript ñ ~3,000 – 5,000 hits/month ñ Hits are seasonal… big events or park activity registration
cause spikes in usage
Why have a GIS web presence?
Support internal city ops and staff
Deliver high-quality, reliable data to the public Increase transparency
Save staff and citizen time by enabling users to find answers to common questions
Step #1a: Identify your Internal audience…
Who are they? (now vs. in the future): • City staff • Contractors • Council members/mayor
Level of technical ability? • Don’t build apps too complex for audience • Time audience is willing to wait for answers
Access to the internet? • Connection speed? • Device(s) used? (laptop, tablet, phone) • Institutional barriers: some places avoid
use of Flash or deploy only iPhones
Step #1b: Identify your External audience…
Who are they? (now vs. in the future): • Citizens or Visitors • Real estate/insurance agents • Other government bodies (state, FEMA)
Level of technical ability? • Wide range of abilities… assume no skills • Time audience is willing to wait for answers
Access to the internet? • Connection speed? • Device(s) used? Most use phones/tablets • What kinds of questions do they have? • What are they looking for?
Step #2: What are your options? Different APIs/ Services exist for different groups
Google Maps API
ArcGIS Online
ArcGIS API for Flex, Silverlight and/or Javascript
Step #2: What are your options? Google Maps API
+ Major Advantages • $0 cost to use API (until you pass hit threshold)
• Data/search services are robust & already configured
• Well known by all, even non-GIS people - Major Disadvantages
• Not readily compatible with ArcGIS Server • Tied to commercial system/service • Data isn’t updated as quickly as yours • Stigma using it within GIS industry… some
view it as the easy way out
Step #2: What are your options? ArcGIS Online
+ Major Advantages • $0 cost to use if you have an ELA, don’t
store data in Esri cloud, etc. (need to buy credits, and pay for seats otherwise)
• Integrates with ArcGIS Server • VERY easy to implement • Mobile-capable out of the box
- Major Disadvantages • Not customizable unless you host apps • Tied to commercial system/service • Cost (if no ELA, or for overages when credits run out)
Step #2: What are your options? ArcGIS APIs
+ Major Advantages • $0 cost to use • Integrates with ArcGIS Server • Many samples exist to take/tweak/use • Most customizable of all web options
- Major Disadvantages • Requires some level of programming
experience and/or guts • No server software/hardware provided • Different APIs have different strengths
Step #2: What are your options? ArcGIS APIs Comparison
Flex/Silverlight JavaScript API
+ Major Benefits • Really cool effects, graphics • No issues with browsers (I’m talking about you IE) • Viewers already built for you
- Major Weaknesses
• Require browser plugins (How long will be around?) • Some OS/devices don’t support
them anymore • Not open to people with
disabilities/screen readers • Code is obfuscated
+ Major Benefits • Mobile-capable • No browser plug-in needed • Works on ALL devices • Really cool effects if you use
jQuery, etc. • Open to all… HTML/JS can be
altered by users (larger font)
- Major Weaknesses • Lots of debugging to ensure
code is rendered uniformly
Step #3: Select the approach that fits you
Be honest with yourself • Budget • Your abilities and desire to learn • Your time (development & maintenance)
Ask around • What are your neighbors doing? • What are leaders in GIS doing? • Where is technology heading?
FOLLOW THE
LEADER
Your audience
Johns Creek’s path…
1 “all purpose” app for internal use • Flex API-based • All layers, full functionality • Designed for trained users • Will phase out for JS app before 2014
18+ Task-specific apps • JavaScript API-based • One app per “question” • Responsive web design for all devices
Step #3: Work with Communications/Web Staff Why?
Communicate clearly • Graphic designers • To embed or not to embed • Web development experience
Highlight the good • Help you highlight the good the city does • Help you avoid hot-topics (aka politics)
Evaluate the “final” product from non-GIS perspective
Step #3: Work with Communications/Web Staff How To
B) Make changes to the plan at the meeting • Stay open to other staff’s suggestions • Involve directors, data owners in process • Don’t speak in GIS or IT • Have a “due date” or other deadlines
C) Act on the plan and report back • Do the work and stay to the plan • If you run into issues, communicate! • Soft launch…
A) Develop a rough plan before meeting • “Decide” on an API/product • Show that you’ve done your homework • Build or show a simple example
Step #3: Work with Communications/Web Staff After the meeting
Make adjustments based on feedback
Soft launch the web app • Stay open to criticism/critique • Use resources (Don’t make me Think)
• Test with sample of target audience
Step #3: Work with Communications/Web Staff Launching & Marketing
Launch the web app (for real this time) • Demo to Department directors
(Individually or at C-level meetings)
• Demo to city council/mayor (Preferably at council meetings… media will be present)
Market the web app • Focus on the problem the app solves
• Time savings • No need to call a person at city hall • Useful services (address verification)
Keep improving…
Make plans of changes to make • Tech changes… stay relevant • Listen to feedback and hit count • Make sure the app still answers the questions users ask
Keep Communications/web staff in the loop • Get feedback/buy-in from them • Listen to other apps they want/problems you can solve
Always focus on your audience!
Questions & Contact
Nick O’Day GIS Manager,
City of Johns Creek, IT [email protected]
678-512-3200 http://www.JohnsCreekGA.gov